Annie - My brother-in-law says these are really easy to make - maybe if you practice before the holidays it won't be as stressful :)
BUTTERCREAMS
These homemade buttercream candies are easily made with powdered sugar, butter and cream cheese.
Filling Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted Butter, softened*
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, etc.**
4 cups powdered sugar
Coating Ingredients:
1 (12-ounce) package (2 cups) real semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
Instructions:
Combine butter and cream cheese in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth. Add vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Beat, gradually adding powdered sugar, until well mixed. (If mixture is too soft, cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to form balls.)
Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of mixture into 1-inch balls. Place onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely; refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).
Melt chocolate chips and shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth (3 to 4 minutes). Dip buttercreams into chocolate mixture using toothpicks; let excess chocolate drip off. Place onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set.
**Substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons almond, maple, strawberry, lemon, orange, peppermint or rum extract.
Yield: 5 dozen candies